The Essence of Dielectric Waveguides

The increasing capabilities of digital computation have altered the way electromagnetic problems are being solved. It is no longer necessary that analytical solutions be obtained. Many practical problems with complicated geometries for which there are no closed form analytic solutions can now be solved numerically. Nevertheless, understanding of the fundamental behavior (the essence) of the solutions must still be gained from analytic solutions of canonical problems. In other words, correct interpretation of the numerical results must depend on knowing the essence of guided waves on certain related canonical structure. Therefore, the primary goal of this book is to provide an insight into this essence.

Review of the wave guiding structures over the whole electromagnetic spectrum shows that, for frequencies below 30 GHz, mostly metal-based structures are used, and for frequencies above 30 GHz, increasing skin-depth losses in metal requires that these structures be made without the use of metallic material. Hence, the importance of pure dielectric waveguides for carrying large bandwidth signals is established in frequency range from 30 GHz and beyond.

The plethora of dielectric waveguides and its vast modern applications mean that it is not possible to write an all-encompassing book on dielectric waveguides. Therefore, our goal is to write a "back to the basics" book that provides the foundation of dielectric waveguide that is useful, clear and easy to understand. The understanding of the basic underlying principles will lead to improved and innovative applications based on a dielectric structure.